Kharar (SAS Nagar)-The Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak today said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has made comprehensive arrangements to ensure smooth and hassle-free procurement of paddy across the State. He said that the State Government is closely monitoring the procurement process to ensure that farmers do not face any inconvenience at the mandis.
Reviewing the ongoing paddy procurement operations at Kharar grain market, the Minister said that 3.83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had arrived in mandis across Punjab so far, out of which the State procurement agencies had already procured 3.44 lakh metric tonnes. He said that Rs 188 crore had been paid to farmers against the procured paddy.
The Minister further said that the pace of lifting would be further accelerated in the coming days. He also assured the farmers that there is no shortage of gunny bags and all necessary arrangements had been made to facilitate the procurement process.
Punjab would comfortably achieve the target of procuring 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy for the Government quota, said Mr. Kataruchak and added that a Cash Credit Limit of Rs. 42, 786 crore had already been sanctioned by the Reserve Bank of India, ensuring adequate financial arrangements for procurement operations.
During the review, the Minister interacted with farmers, Arhtiyas and other stakeholders to seek their feedback regarding the procurement arrangements and issues being faced at the ground level. In his presence, PUNSUP purchased the paddy crop of farmer Mandeep Singh of Tripri village, who had brought his produce to the mandi the same day.
The Minister directed the procurement agencies to ensure that payment is credited to farmers' bank accounts within 24 hours of the purchase entry being made in the official records. He stressed that all agencies must work in close coordination to ensure timely procurement, lifting and payment.
On the occasion, MP Malvinder Singh Kang, who accompanied the Minister during the visit, said that the existing stock of paddy in the State would be cleared through coordination with the Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution. He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had already written to Union Minister Prahlad Joshi in this regard.
He said that the existing stock pertains to the Government quota and it is the responsibility of the Government of India to facilitate its clearance so that adequate storage space is available for the incoming paddy crop.
Punjab Youth Development Board Chairman Parminder Singh Goldy, who was also present during the visit, said that issues arising at the local level were being resolved through coordination among the concerned departments so that farmers do not face any difficulty at the mandi.
Market Committee Kharar Chairman Sukhjinder Singh Bittu also apprised the Minister of the arrangements at the mandi.
SDM Kharar Gurmeet Singh, District Food and Civil Supplies Controller Varinder Kumar, officials of procurement agencies, Mandi Board officials and other concerned officers were also present during the visit.